HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-02 Transcription Page 1
Council Present: Alter,Bergus,Dunn,Harmsen, Moe, Salih, Teague
Staff Present: From,Jones, Goers, Grace, Platz,Havel, Sovers,Hightshoe,Ralston
Others Present: LeFevre,USG Liasion
1. Call to Order
Teague: It is now 6 p.m. and I want to welcome all of you to the City of Iowa City uh,Formal
Meeting the the second day of January 2024. So Happy New Year to everyone that's in
this room. Haven't seen many of you since last year so happy that you're here. Yes. And I
also want to ah,welcome our newest councilor,uh, Councilor Joshua Moe so happy that
you're here with us as well.
Moe: Thank you. Thank you.
Teague: And then many of you may not know,but um, I was reappointed as Mayor, and Mazahir
was reappointed as Mayor Pro Tem. Yes. So, we're going to start with roll call please.
(Roll Call)
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2. Proclamations:
2.a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Teague: All right. We're going to move on to item number 2,which are proclamations. Uh, 2.a is
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day. (Reads proclamation). Receiving this proclamation
are two individuals we'll have from our ad hoc Truth and Reconciliation uh,Committee,
uh, Commission,uh, Commissioner Chad Simmons. And we will also have from our
HRC Commission Bijou. So we'll have them uh, in that order. Welcome.
Simmons: Thank you very much. First, I want to congratulate you all on your service and all of
the work that you have done. It means um,the world to all of us who are servant leaders
and who continue to strive and work hard. When Martin started college,he was 16 years
old. He went to a little school called Morehouse College, all male African American
school. When people asked some of the professors, do they know that Martin Luther
King was Martin Luther King,the answer was no. They knew he was bright and he was
sharp,but they didn't know that he would change the world. It just brings to the point that
every person can truly make a difference if they're willing to stand up and do the right
thing. As a Morehouse alum, and as a member of his dear fraternity,Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Incorporated,we continue to be honored by his service by providing service
and we appreciate all the work that you all do to make our lives better. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you.
Maliabo: Hello.
Teague: Welcome.
Maliabo: My voice is very high. Uh,thank you so much for your service and what you guys been
doing in the City of Iowa City. I'm going to read mine because this is a little longer. Uh,
my name is Bijou Maliabo and I'm a resident in Iowa City. I am honored and pleased to
make remark for Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day.No person has more closely
identified with the mid 20th century struggles for civil rights than Martin Luther King
Junior. His adoption of non violence resistance to achieve equal rights for Black
Americans earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. King is remembered for his masterpiece,
oratorical skills. More memorably in his "I Have a Dream" speech. King's legacy has
inspired activists fighting injustice anywhere in the world. On this Martin Luther King
Junior Day, as we reflect on the timeless principle of justice and equality, let us extend
our thoughts to regions in the world where these id- ideals are still striving to take root.
Much like Dr. King, confronted the injustice of his time,we must acknowledge the
suffering of the Congolese people who continue to endure the devastating impact of war.
It is a stark reminder that the fight for justice is not limited to our immediate surrounding
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but extending to the broader global community. Dr. King's teaching implore us to be not
only advocates for peace,but active participants in its pursuit. As we commemorate his
legacy, let us amplify our voices against the violence and instability in the Congo and
other countries in the world. In fact, in face of adversity,Dr. King's commitment to
nonviolence serve as a guiding light,urging us to seek diplomacy solution and empathize
with the plight of those caught in the cross fire. Together let us channel the spirit of
Martin Luther King Junior to advocate for a world where conflicts are resolved through
dialogue, compassion, triumph over cruelty, and the right of every individual regardless
of nationality be upheld. This year Dr. King will be 95 years of age. Please plan on
participating in the community celebration of his life on Monday,January 15 from 9:30-
12:30 at Mercer Park Center. The day will me- include a peace march, community
service project, community speakers, and much more. I hope to see you all there and
thank you. May we strive for a world where peace prevails every corner of the globe.
Thank you.
Teague: Thank you, and thanks to both of you for what you do and the service that you give to
our community.
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2.b National Day of Racial Healing
Teague: 2.b is National Day of Racial Healing. (Reads proclamation). And to receive this
proclamation as our,um,Human Rights Commission Chair, Commissioner Roger
Lusala.
Lusala: Thank you Mayor Teague and the entire Council for honoring and recognizing this day,
the Tuesday after Martin Luther King, as a Racial Healing Day. Racial healing is an
important issue to many, if not all black and brown people in this country. The Civil
Rights Movement is the longest active movement in our society. While we have come a
long way, I don't believe we have come far enough. Many other movements have come
and have successfully surpassed the Civil Rights Movement, in my opinion. For example,
the Disability Rights. It has come and surpassed the Civil Rights Movement. The
LGBTQ Rights Movement has come and surpassed the Civil Rights Movement. The
normalization of mental illness has come and surpassed the Civil Rights Movement.
Those are everything we talk about today in our forefront. There are multiple reasons
why the Civil Rights Movement still lags, and we just need to work harder and make it
more inclusive. And yes,with the black and brown people,we have so many die hard
allies in this room and everywhere we go,that they are all working hard on the
equalization of rights. However,many of them still do not identify with the issue facing
the black and brown communities. It's sad to say that in the year 2024,many black and
brown parents are still having "the talk"with their kids. I just had "the talk"with my 14-
year-old who's going to start testing for her driving permit. If you don't know "the talk"
that I'm talking about,this happens in every black household. Before your daughter or
your son gets out driving,you got to sit them down and have "the talk." The talk involves
talking to them how to deal with police and the people that are sometimes supposed to
protect and serve us. Those are issues that we talk about in our community. When our
kids are out,we can't sleep. We're not even worrying about that they're gonna get in a car
accident,we're just hoping they're gonna get home if they get pulled over somewhere.
Why have some of these movements have surpassed the Civil Right Movement? In my
opinion, let's talk about the LGBTQ movement. Every one of us can identify with having
a niece, a nephew, a cousin twice removed who's gay, tran. Let's talk about the disability
movement. All of us can identify having a third cousin or a aunt somewhere or a aunt's
kid who has a disability. Same thing for mental illness. But the reason the civil rights
movement is still lagging,not all of us can identify with having a niece, a nephew, a
cousin, an aunt who is black. So no matter how much we are appreciating our allies,we
still, each of us,need to start finding ways to identify with black and brown community.
We still need to start thinking,what about if that was my son,what about if that was my
niece?Until we start identifying with the people that look different than us,we can not
really stand up and feel the pain that they feel when we see those images. So we're
talking about racial healing. We need to come together. We need to reach out, and we
always talk about that. Reach out to people that are different,people of different race,but
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we really need to work on really identifying ourselves with one of them. So on this day,
the Tuesday after Martin Luther King's Day or the third Tuesday in January, I invite you
guys to take the time and pause and reflect, imagine what you personally can do to start
healing our nation and what your family can do to start healing our city, or what our
country can do to start healing from what I call the trauma of the past, the historical
trauma. We're still dealing with it today no matter how long. I always applaud our city--I
love this city--in that we have shown and continue to show that we can lead. Today is one
of those days. Today, it's a great example of racial healing. As the Council you have re-
elected my friend,the fust ever openly gay black man for his third term as the Mayor of
Iowa City. And you also have re-elected the fust ever proud re-elected Somalian
immigrant black woman as the Mayor Pro Tem.
Audience Member: Sudanese.
Lusala: Sudanese. Sorry. I meant to say Sudanese not Somalian. So this is how we start healing
the racial issues that we have,we have to identify. If we can trust, uh,these people can
lead our city,then we also have to trust people who look different than us,they belong.
It's sad that on January 1,the law started,uh,now prohibiting many universities from
teaching about inclusion and equity and all that stuff,when we should have been far
ahead,not even talking about equity and inclusion,we should be talking about-talking
about belonging because we all should feel a sense of belonging. So thank you Iowa City
Council,thank you Mayor, for declaring this day as the Racial Healing Day. I invite you
to pause,reflect, and see what you can do to move our country a little bit forward. Thank
you.
Teague: Thank you and thank you for your service.
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3. Consent Calendar
Teague: We're going to move on to our consent agenda,which is Items 3 through 8. Could I get a
motion to approve it please?
Salih: So moved.
Dunn: Second.
Teague: Moved by Salih and seconded by Dunn. Anyone from the public like to address this
topic? 6.b is on here. Yes. Yes. So any of the items that are 3-8 and if you're online,
which I,um, if you're online,please raise your hand if you would like to talk on any item
that is on our consent agenda. And then as a reminder,we do have sign-in stickers in the
back of the room as well as a sign-in at the table. We'll give you three mi-up to three
minutes. Welcome.
Sterling: Greetings. David Sterling from Iowa City,uh commenting on Item 6.b,the proposed
$12.75 million in tax breaks over the next five years to Alpla Incorporated is a mistake.
Not only is the City subsidizing a large corporation that made $4 billion in 2022, it is an
investment in a plastics corporation. The City's Strategic Plan makes it clear that
combating climate change is to be a serious initiative, and this investment will go against
that. This 12.75 million dollars could instead be invested in jobs that combat climate
change. This could take the form of jobs that research, develop, and implement climate
friendly solutions,but could also take the form of jobs that prepare the city for future
climate related events, such as the Derecho of 2020. Considering the state cuts to the City
budget have affected other spending discussions,this seems like an inappropriate
investment on multiple fronts. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to- anyone else like to address this topic?
Ross: Mayor, can we get more volume on the outside?
Teague: Yes,we'll make that happen. Thank you. Anyone else like to address this topic?Any of
the items 3-8? Seeing no one in person or online,were going to move to Council
discussion.
Dunn: We separate 6.a?
Teague: You-
Alter: Isn't that something that we needed to do already?
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Dunn: If we have to, 6.b,whatever it is.
Teague: It's 6.a.
Harmsen: 6.b.
Teague: Oh, 6.b. Sorry.
Teague: Yeah, 6.b. So there is a motion to- I guess at this point we have all of them here,but
there is a motion to separate 6.b.
Goers: I believe the Council rules allow for any single Council member to remove an item from
the Council, I'm sorry,the consent agenda to be considered separately.
Teague: Separately? Great. Okay.
Dunn: I'd like to do that.
Teague: All right. So then this is- what we'll do is we'll discuss items 3-8 except for 6.b. So that's
what we're discussing at this time.
Alter: Three through eight is what we're discussing?
Teague: We're discussing 3-8 minus 6.b.
Alter: Right. Okay.
Teague: Hearing no discussion by Council,roll call please. (Roll Call)Motion passes 7-0.
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6.b High Quality Jobs Program application—Alpla,Inc.—Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Iowa City,IA approving the application of Alpla,Inc.to the
Iowa Economic Development Authority High Quality Jobs Program.
Teague: We are onto item number 6.b. So Council discussion.
Dunn: Geoff, could you walk us through this?Just like the mechanics of everything and what's
being requested?
From: Yes. Sure. The item before you is a resolution supporting Alpla's High Quality Jobs Act
application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The 12.75 million is the
anticipated investment that Alpla will be making,not the anticipated,uh, subsidy,uh,
from either the City or the State. Alpla currently employs about 231 people in Iowa City.
They're looking to add a training center so they can start their own apprenticeship
program here to bolster their employment in future years. It's estimated that that would
create 36 new full time jobs offering living wages. The estimated pay per hour of those
jobs is 30.65 an hour, and that would include,uh, comprehensive health benefits as well.
Your packet has a little bit more detail in there concerning the type of investment they
would be making. But the state program does require local support,uh, and does require a
local match, if you will. So what would follow this would be a tax abatement schedule
and that's outlined in your report to be a five year tax abatement schedule that would be
sliding,meaning that every year it would decrease in value. And it's estimated that that
could,um,provide approximately $578,000 in support. So that would be the tax
abatement support the City would potentially offer. Again,the 12.7 million would be
Alpla's investment in this training center.
Goers: Mayor, I would add a couple of things. One is that the tax abatement is only on the new
value,not the present value of the facility that's there. And also, I'm afraid, I don't think I
heard a motion for 6.b. Sorry, and a second.
Dunn: I- I moved. Yeah.
Teague: Yes. Could I get a motion for 6.b on our consent agenda?
Dunn: So moved.
Alter: Second.
Teague: Moved by Dunn. Seconded by Alter. Okay. Continue discussion by Council. Roll Call.
Oh.
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Alters: Sorry,just gathering my thoughts. Um, so one of the things that is hardest for Council, at
least, I'll speak for myself, is balancing multiple opportunities as well as multiple
drawbacks. Um, and I take the public comment,um,well in hand for your pointing out
that this is a plastics company,um, and that there should be some pause and some
discussion about this. Um, equally one of the things that is a recurring theme and is also
part of our Strategic Plan is about bringing well paying highly skilled jobs to Iowa City.
And we have heard from many in this room about how expensive it is to live in Iowa City
and that people cannot afford to live here. That people cannot-there are not jobs
commensurate with the cost of living. Um, this is an investment in the community by,
yes, a large business, something that, in fact,um,we have been, as a Council,very
concerned about in terms of the way that the state has taken away home rule, and has
impacted our ability to levy local taxes. Um, so at the same time that there may be people
who are not in agreement with this on the face of it,um, as a councilor, I kind of tried to
take multiple things into hand. And I feel that right now, one of the things that is fust and
foremost for a number of people in Iowa City, is to have well paying skilled jobs and to
keep businesses here in the city so that people can continue to afford to live here. So,um,
I will be voting in favor of this,but I just wanted to try to explain some of the reasoning
behind it,um, acknowledging that there are hard decisions that need to be made,um, and
that in spite of us having multiple prongs of the Strategic Plan that are all working
towards a greater good, sometimes they will be in conflict or appear that way.
Teague: Roll call,please. (Roll Call). Motion passess 7-0.
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9. Community Comment
Teague: We are onto item number 9,which is Community Comment on things that are not on
our agenda. So if you want to address a topic that is not on our agenda, I want to-to just
see the hands of those that want to address a topic not on our agenda. And if you're
online,please virtually raise your hand as well. Okay, so, I just see two individuals
before-three individuals before us,we're going to allow for three minutes. Please state
your name and the city you're from and again there's a sign-in sheet,unless you have the
sticker from the back. Welcome.
Ali: Hi. Um, my name is Amel Ali and I live in Iowa City. Um, I'm here today in solidarity with
the community members asking for the resolution,but I'm also here,um,to start a
conversation about what is to come,um, and what's gonna happen in Council Chambers
shortly. The City budget,um,how where our tax dollars will be spent,um, in FY 25. It's
January and from my understanding,uh, City staff will be representing the fust draft of
the City of Iowa City budget to Council soon. So from then until March,um, is when-
when it's finalized,that's gonna be the time to let you know where we stand as
constituents and let you know where our priorities lie, what public safety and community
safety looks like,what climate justice looks like for us,where we believe the money
should be used for all of those things. Last year,there was a tremendous outpouring of
public comment and requests for further engagement from community members in
regards to the increase in the police budget and in support of Councilor Bergus's
amendment and desire to shift funds into prevention and survivor-centered
accountability. Many Council members who are sitting here today spoke on the need to
further engage with community members before making such changes, and to my
understanding, I'm not sure if many of those conversations were had,um,however,there
was a constituent who put together,uh, some really good points of criticism. Um, last
year folks came,uh,together and they cleaned Ralston Creek,the creek that runs through
this entire community. Um, I'm curious as to why it's up to a bunch of 20-something-
year-old college students to bring this to your attention and beg you to make sure our
water is being taken care of There are car washes in Coralville who are dumping toxic
waste into the water. I want the City to learn from this horrible mistake and have
measures in place to hold entities and owners of these companies accountable. We had
community members come together to have two amazing repair cafes where individuals
could be taught how to sew a button, fix their bikes, fix radios, lamps, etc,to avoid
wasting these items, and instead coming together and building community while learning
to repair household products and clothes. What would it look like if the City gave
stipends to those individuals and offered more of these repair cafes?All these issues
relate to each other because every decision we make as a community and every decision
we ask elected officials to make on our behalf represents our values and how we choose
to use our resources. I feel lucky to live in Iowa City, I'm proud to be represented by the
fust Sudanese woman elected into Council, I'm proud to have helped reelect our
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abolitionist Angel Laura, and last but not least,to be represented by Andrea's mom. Um,
I'm proud of the strides we're making towards a better and more equitable community
despite living in a state that feels like it's trying to rip all of my agency and rights away.
Teague: Thank you. Thank you. Welcome.
Sterling: Hello,David Sterling from Iowa City. Uh, I've been informed that the fiscal year 2025
budget will include a 3% increase to the police department budget. Last year in April, the
Iowa City Police Department was awarded a $955,000 increase to its budget. This was
approved after City Manager Geoff Fruin gave a presentation showing that Iowa City
Police Department has gone under budget for multiple years in a row, and 99% of
responding citizens voiced disapproval of the increase. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
said that they did not want to rush into diverting those funds without a plan in place.
However,there was no plan given to justify the increase. Iowa City Police Department
has saved money by failing to meet its quota for hiring officers. This is due to extensive
public criticism of ICPD on political and scientific criteria, leading to few interested
applicants. Officers are currently being forced into unhealthy levels of costly overtime to
maintain services that have been proven ineffective and unpopular. The science is as clear
here as it is with climate change. The public cost of increasing police budgets directly
corresponds to an increase in crime due to the damage policing does to communities. For
the health of the public and the police officers,these services must be rolled back and the
officers return to regular hours. Were the police under budget again last year?Where did
the $955,000 go?Why do they need another 3%? If Council cannot answer these
questions, it cannot justify the spending. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Ross: Hi, I'm Brandon Ross from Iowa City, Iowa. Good to see all of you on Martin Luther King
Day. Martin Luther King is definitely one of the greatest Americans. Some things that are
not mentioned about him is that he said that,um,he said that racism and capitalism are
two sides of the same coin. Uh,he was basically a socialist by the time he-he died. He
was very critical of the US involvement in Vietnam,he believed we should not be there,
we should not be arming,uh, one side of that conflict. He said that the United States was
the most brutal government in the world, in the history of the world, that's Martin Luther
King. We need to remember this because he stood for so many- so many things,he's such
a powerful individual who affected so many of us. Uh, I come up here today to encourage
people to continue to protest the sending of arms not only to Palestine but to Ukraine. Uh,
I am Ukrainian by background. My mother is first generation American. We're from
Kyiv,uh, and basically,uh,the regime that's in Kyiv,uh, is a fascist regime. Uh,the US
is supporting the wrong group again,uh, and,um,you know,just to bring up one year,
2019. In 2019,UNICEF actually wrote a report that said that over half a million Eastern
Ukrainian children were at risk of death,uh,because of what was going on from the Kyiv
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regime. At that point it was between Poroshenko and Zelensky and basically the attacks
of that regime upon Eastern Ukraine created a lot of death. Over 16000- over 2000
children died in that- in those attacks,that's 2019. 2019 Victor Poroshenko he-Petro
Poroshenko he retired from office with a 9% approval rating. That was the lowest rating
of any leader in any country in the world. You can look this up. The United States was
supporting Petro Poroshenko and actually installed him,uh, in power,uh, along with
Arseniy Yatsenyuk,the Prime Minister, who only had a 1% approval rating when he
went into office. The US has been supporting this brutal fascist group all those eight
years until Russia did intercede.Now Russia did not attack Ukraine,Russia came in in
order to protect Eastern Ukraine. Zelensky's popularity now is under 20%,his approval
rating is low. Ukrainians do not support Zelensky,Ukrainians do not support this regime
since 2014. The United States supports this regime because it stands to gain, it sold
weapons and economically they want Ukraine. I plead with people, I plead with you, call
and write your congress members and demand- demand that we stop sending weapons
into Ukraine, $100 billion in weapons. We can use that money at home,we can call for
peace. Same with Palestine. Let's go.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address a topic that is not on our agenda?
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10. Planning& Zoning Matters:
10.a Comprehensive Plan Amendment- Southwest District -Resolution to amend
the Comprehensive Plan and Southwest District Plan to allow assisted group living
uses for the property located at 1201 W.Benton Street(CPA23-0001)
Teague: Seeing no one,we're gonna move to items number-we're going to move to Planning
and Zoning matters. Um,we're going to move to item number 10.a,um, and I do know
that,um, Councilor Moe will recuse himself on this item. So 10.a is Comprehensive Plan
Amendment-Southwest District. Resolution to amend the Comprehensive Plan and
Southwest District Plan to allow assisted group living uses for the property located at
1201 West Benton Street. I'm gonna open the public hearing. And welcome Tracy
Hightshoe.
1. Public Hearing
Hightshoe: I will be presenting,um,the Planning and Zoning items tonight as Danielle will not
be able to be here. So for this item, we have the compro- Comprehensive Plan
amendment. Oaknoll Retirement Residence recently purchased about 0.78 acres of
property located at 1201 West Benton Street,just south of Oaknoll's main campus. The
owner is working with an Axiom consultant to prepare two applications to permit a
campus expansion by allowing a small assisted group living,what we'd call a nursing
home or what Oaknoll calls a healthcare center,um,that would house up to 12 residents
in a single-story building on their subject prop- on the property. The owner plans to
accomplish this through a Comprehensive Plan amendment to amend the future land use
map designation in the Comp Plan from 2 to 8 dwelling units per acre to 8 to 16 dwelling
units per acre in the Southwest District Plan, from single-family duplex residential to low
density,multi-family residential, and a zoning map amendment. You can see through the
white outlines,this is the subject property. Um, it is currently developed with a detached
single-family dwelling. To the north of Oaknoll campus you find additional assisted
group living uses to the west, south, and east are low density single-family uses. The
zoning reflects what actually is in the neighborhood. Oaknoll's campus is zoned as a mix
of me-medium and high density residential with a planned development overlay. And to
the south, east, and west is zoned low density single-family residential. The applicant,
Oaknoll, is proposing a small assisted group living nursing home healthcare center that
would house up to 12 residents in a single-story building on the subject property they
recently purchased. This proposal includes two-two applications-the Comp Plan
amendment, and then follows us to the rezoning. The Comp Plan amendment would
change the future land use map,the rezoning would rezone the property from low density
single-family residential to low density multi-family residential. The proposed
amendment is a smaller expansion of the Oaknoll Campus than what occurred in 2012
when we-when they expanded by 69 units west of George Street. That also required a
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Comp Plan amendment and a rezoning to medium density,multi-family residential with a
planned development overlay and vacation of Spring Street. The exhibit from the
Southwest District Plan provides an overview of the surrounding neighborhood. You can
see in the black circled area where the property that we're referencing is. It is in the
Benton Hill neighborhood. The Southwest District Plan was initially adopted in 2002,
prior to our current zoning code. You can see higher density uses to the north, and then
single-family duplex uses south of the Benton around this property. In reviewing a
Comprehensive Plan amendment,the City uses two criteria. Have circumstances changed
or addit- additional information been brought to light,that's in the public interest?And is
the proposed amendment compatible with other policies or provisions of the Comp Plan?
In 2000,the population of Iowa City was about 62,000, of which 4,500 were 65 years or
older. That amounts to about 7% of our population. Over the past 20 years, Iowa City's
population, I imagine the Johnson County has grown too, in Iowa City over 75,000 of
which 8,600 or 12% are 65 years or older. The city is expected to continue growing and
the baby boomer generation will co- continue to age into this cohort. As a result,the city
will continue to need additional assisted living nursing- assisted living in a nursing
capacity in our market. The proposed Comprehensive Plan change would allow this
expansion. It's intended to allow for a diversity of housing options through special
attention,though special attention must be paid to ensure compatibility of these housing
types. Overall,these trends indicate a public interest in reviewing the property's future
land use category. Around 2004,Hawks Ridge was found to be compatible with
neighborhoods to the west due to a careful site design. In 2012, Oaknoll expanded west
across George Street,but the building was designed to create an appropriate transition
from existing single-family neighborhoods. The proposed amendment is much less
intense than the previous Comprehensive Plan amendments. Recommended actions in the
Southwest District Plan that were considered include, avoiding concentrations of high
density multi-family zoning directly adjacent to low density single-family zoning,
applying the multi-family residential design standards to the Roosevelt sub-area, and
reviewing the multi-family residential design standards to ensure compatibility of new
multi-family development. The last two were accomplished through the 2005 Zoning
Code update a- adopted after this plan was drafted. The proposed amendment is
consistent with several goals and strategies revolving land use and housing in the
Comprehensive Plan. The proposed action is highlighted in orange. This is a
Comprehensive Plan amendment. The applicant has used a Good Neighbor Policy and
held a Good Neighbor Meeting on September 5, 2023. Based on the review of the
relevant criteria, staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment. At its
December 6 meeting,the Planning and Zoning Commission concurred with staffs
opinion and recommended approval of the Comp Plan amendment to the City Council by
a vote of 5-0. And that ends the presentation for the compre- Comprehensive Plan
amendment, and then I'll be back for the rezoning.
Teague: Great. All right. Any questions for Tracy by the Council?Hearing none. Thank you.
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Hightshoe: Oh I-
Teague: Anyone?
Hightshoe: -forgot to say that-that Steve Roe from Oaknoll is here if you have questions for him
too.
Teague: Great. Great. Did you have anything you wanted to present?We're going to welcome-
Goers: If I may, Mayor.Normally,uh,the developer presentation would be at the rezoning
which is the next item-
Teague: Got It.
Goers: -as opposed to the Comprehensive Plan where we are now.
Teague: Got it. Okay. Great. All right. Anyone from the public like to address this topic? If you
are online,please raise your hand. If you are in person,please raise your hand at this
time. Seeing no one in person or online. Um,before I close the public hearing, I just
wanted to,um, ask the Council if they're inclined to vote with P & Z.
Goers: So,well. So this is the Comprehensive Plan amendment. The rezoning,that will be a
question we need to ask but not- [OVERLAPPING]
Teague: Okay. For the next one. All right. So I'm going to close the public hearing.
2. Consider a Resolution
Teague: Can I get a motion to approve,please?
Alter: So moved Alter.
Bergus: Second Bergus.
Teague: All right, and discussion by Council. Yeah, I think it's going to be a great opportunity
for,um, additional services I think because of,uh,the type of living that it'll be,um, and
the supports of the individuals who will be receiving. So yeah.
Alter: And it fits well with what the rest of the Southwest,uh, Comp Plan is.
Teague: Yeah, agreed. Roll call, please. (Roll Call) Motion passes 6-0.
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10.b Rezoning—1201 W.Benton St.—Ordinance conditionally rezoning
approximately .78 acres of land located at 1201 W.Benton Street from Low Density
Residential (RS-5) to Low Density Multi-Family Residential(RM-12). (REZ23-0008)
Teague: Item number 10.b is Rezoning- 1201 West Benton Street- Ordinance conditionally
rezoning approximately 0.78 acres of land located at 1201 West Benton Street from Low
Density Residental Density Residential to Low Density Multi-Family Residential. And
I'm going to open the public-public hearing, and welcome Tracy Hightshoe again.
1. Public Hearing
Hightshoe: Thanks. As I mentioned previously, Oaknoll recently purchased approximately 0.78
acres prop- of property located at 1201 West Benton Street,just south of their main
campus. This is the second of two applications prepared by Axiom Consultants for a
campus expansion of a small nursing home -um, in zoning,we call that assisted group
living -that would house up to 12 residents in a single story building on the property. The
owner plans to accomplish this through a Comprehensive Plan amendment and a zoning
map amendment to change the zoning designation from low to de-Low Density Single-
Family to Low Density Multi-Family. It is curre-the-the lot in question is currently
occupied by single-family home. Uses to the north and northeast are primarily Medium to
High Density Multi-Family uses with planned development overlays. To the west, south,
and east are Low Density Single-Family uses. The proposed zone allows a variety of
uses, either by right or provisionally, or by special exception. Um, it requires compliance
with multi-family design sites development standards, limits density to 12- 12 delling-
dwelling units or 45 roomers and height limit of no more than 35 feet. Multi-family
means apartments or a structure with multiple dwelling units. The max is 12 units.
Assisted group living means one dwelling shared by multiple occupants, like a nursing
home with the max of 45 roomers. Community service means libraries,museums,youth
club, shelters. General education facilities mean public or private schools. The provo-the
proposed zone still allows detached single-family and duplexes. The conceptual design is
to construct a one story- one story, 8,700 square foot building,housing 12 residents in a
healthcare center assisted group living arrangement. In reviewing rezoning,the City uses
two criteria- consistency with the comp plan, and compatibility with existing
neighborhood. If ad- if adopted,the rezoning application would be consistent with the
Comp Plan. Benton Street is an arterial street corridor with access to city services.
Recommended conditions would regulate the bulk and scale of higher intensity level use
and address additional policies in the plan. The plan encourages high quality multi-family
housing compatible with surrounding developments to meet the needs of a variety of
households. Um,where we are. The applicant has used the good neighbor policy and had
a good neighbor meeting on September 5, 2023. Based on a review of the relevant
criteria, staff recommended approval with the fust condition. That first condition staff
recommended was general compliance with the footprint and scale of the development
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concept to ensure compatibility with the existing neighborhood development plan. And
then at the Planning and Zoning meeting on December 6,the commission concurred with
the staffs opinion and also recommended the rezoning with two additional conditions,
that they-the building should not exceed one story in height, and approval of a
landscaping plan by the City Forester that preserves as much of the existing landscape as
possible. A signed conditional zoning agreement has been received. Um,these are just
photos of the concept plan. It's just a concept plan,but let me get the one story,um, in-fill
of that lot. And that finishes the presentation for...
Teague: The rezoning part. Any questions for Tracy?All right. Steve Roe,would you like to
come up? Great.
Roe: Thank you,Mayor Teague and Council. I am Steve Roe. I am CEO at Oaknoll and I've had
the privilege of serving the Oaknoll community for 24 years. Uh,hope to be there for a
few more. Um,we have currently 480 residents and about 50 of those 480 residents live
in our nursing care,what we call the health center. Uh,the building that we are proposing
at 1201 West Benton would really be kind of a new style nursing home and it's one that
we're very proud of Uh, our architect did a fantastic job in building something that just
looks like a modern home that would fit into the neighborhood really well and that home
will house and serve 12 of our most,uh-most dependent residents,have common areas
with a kitchen and dining space and living room space,uh, space for family members,uh,
when someone is close to death,uh, space for family to stay,uh,with their loved one.
Uh,we're very proud of the design and are excited about the opportunity to move forward
with this with your approval.
Teague: Great. Thank you.
Dunn: I have a question for him.
Teague: Uh,there's a question for you.
Dunn: Yeah. So this is not something that is really at all related to my decision making. It's just
more of a curiosity out of knowledge of the area. Um, do you know what kind of like
traffic you'd see,not like car traffic,but just like movement between facilities that you'd
see between this-this new location and- and what you already have.
Roe: Yeah, I really-we don't anticipate much,uh,much traffic between the north side of Benton
Street and the south side of Benton Street. The staff who will work in this building would
pretty much come to work,uh, for their shift in that building. Uh, it will house 12,uh,
nursing home level residents who do have some visitors through the course of the day,
uh,but generally that's kind of spread out through a day and- and is typically,uh,heavier
on weekends.
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Dunn: Do you guys anticipate any need for like a crosswalk nearby,because I know that the
closest one is pretty far?
Roe: Yes,that's one of the things that was brought up in the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting. Uh,the need to look at a potential study,to do a crosswalk specifically at that
George Street intersection,uh, and that's something we absolutely would support.
Hightshoe: We did a street overlay this summer and so curb ramps are put on a Weeber Street.
So if the zoning is approved,we put all the appropriate signage,um,with the reflected
signage for the crosswalk. But it'd be Weeber because I think there's some,um, slope
issues or different issues at George Street, so it would be Weeber that the crosswalk
would be at.
Dunn: Sure- sure. Thank you.
Teague: Great. All right,thank you. All right. Anyone from the public like to address this topic?
If you're online,please raise your hand. If you're in person,please raise your hand. Yep.
Please come up. State your name and city you're from.
Ali: My name is Amel Ali, um, and I live here in Iowa City. I think that it is important to have
resources for the elderly population. Uh,Bruce and I have talked about,you know,
working as nurses in the past,how often that's a population that is forgotten about when
we think about these things. Um, one question that I do have as it pertains to Oaknoll,
um, is what does the population look like?Um, does the average person who's utilizing
Oaknoll services-do they tend to have, come from, let's say, a background that would
give them the privilege to be able to have these kinds of,um, and I mean, it's high quality
care. It's amazing care. I've seen,you know,the units that you have there. But I'm just
wondering,uh,how much it costs an individual or an individual's family to be housed at
any of these locations. And if there are things that you do for people who may not have
the financial means but would require that level of stay or that level of care, because we
do know that, like yeah,there's not a lot of,you know,rehab facilities and things like
that. Uh, so I was just kind of thinking about that you might not have the answer now,but
just something I've thought about. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Any other comments,uh, anyone want to give to Council at this time?
Seeing no one. All right. Before I close the public hearing,just wanted to know if
Council was inclined to vote with P & Z. All right. All right. So I'm going to close the
public hearing.
2. Consider an Ordinance(First Consideration)
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Teague: Could I give-could I get a motion for fust consideration,please?
Salih: Moved for consideration.
Dunn: Second.
Teague: Yeah. Moved by Salih, seconded by Dunn. All right, and, Council discussion.
Alter: I just think that this is really thoughtful in the way in which it's worked into the existing
neighborhood as well as,um,understanding that our immediate,not just national
population, is aging and to be able to offer these facilities for those who have the most
need. Um, I think is uh, it's a really good addition.
Salih: Yeah, it is great facility. I've been there and to see like another one in the same area. So it
would be great,yeah.
Teague: I think the concept of this,um, is great for our community to see when we're talking
about a place where people live,uh,that need services. And so,um,we may call it a
facility,but it really is someone's home. And it's going to be someone's home nestled and
adjacent to single-family residential homes and I love this concept,um, especially for,
um,really our most vulnerable population. And so I'll be very proud to support this
tonight. I also wanted to acknowledge that Councilor Moe is also recusing himself from
this item as well as the next item. Roll call,please. (Roll Call) Motion passes 6-0.
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10.c. Zoning Code Amendment—Reduction of maximum allowable height in
the RNS-12 Zone- Ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning to reduce the maximum
allowable height in the Neighborhood Stabilization Residential(RNS-12)zone
from thirty-five feet to twenty-seven (27) feet for single-family and duplex uses.
(REZ23-0005) (Second Consideration)
Teague: Item number 10.c is Zoning Code Amendment-Reduction of maximum allowable
height in the RNS-12 Zone - Ordinance amending Title 14,Zoning to reduce the
maximum allowable height in the Neighborhood Stabilization Residential Zone from
thirty-five feet to tweenty-seven feet for single-family and duplex uses. This is second
consideration. Could I get a motion,please?
Dunn: So moved.
Alter: Second.
Teague: Moved by Dunn, seconded by Alter. Anyone from the public like to address this topic.
Please raise your hand at this time. If you're online, do a virtual hand,please. So this is
for item number 10.c. Seeing no one in the public wanting to address this topic, Council
discussion. Roll call,please. (Roll Call). Motion passes 5-1.
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11. Regular Formal Agenda
ILa Conveyance of a Gas Regulator Easement to MidAmerican Energy Company
-Resolution approving conveyance of a Gas Regulator Easement to MidAmerican
Energy Company at the Hickory Hill entrance at North 7th Ave.
Teague: We're on to item number. We'll get, uh, Councilor Moe back in here. All right. We're on
to item number l La Conveyance of a Gas Regulatory Easement to MidAmerican Energy
Company -Resolution approving conveyance of a Gas Regulatory Easement to
MidAmerican Energy Company at the Hickory Hill entrance at North 7th Avenue. I'm
going to open up the public hearing and welcome.
1. Public Hearing
Sovers: Good evening,Mayor and Council. Scott Sovers,Assistant City Engineer. This item is
for the conveyance of a non exclusive 750 foot- square foot- 750 square foot gas
regulator easement to MidAmerican Energy within the Seventh Avenue entrance into
Hickory Hill Park. The approximate location of the easement is outlined in red within the
aerial image before you. Uh, for some background information,MidAmerican Energy
relocated a portion of their gas,um,main facilities within the area in preparation for the
Rochester Avenue Irnprovements Project. In addition to the relocation,they were also-
they also replaced an existing below grade regulator station located near the intersection
of Rochester Avenue and Seventh Avenue with an above grade station within the
proposed easement area. This was done because the existing below grade station not only
caused safety concerns for MidAmerican,but also was difficult, uh, for them to maintain
as it routinely, excuse me, filled with water. Oops, I don't know what I just did. Sorry
about that. Uh,the new above ground station has been installed in accordance with the
MidAmerican current practices and allows for improved access and easier maintenance.
Additionally,the risk of having it struck by an errant vehicle is mitigated by having it
located outside of the street right-of-way. That concludes my presentation. I'd be happy to
answer any questions.
Teague: Hearing no questions. Thank you.
Sovers: Thank you.
Teague: Anyone from the public like to address this topic? If you're in person,please raise your
hand, if you're online,please raise your virtual hand. Seeing no one in person or online,
I'm going to close the public hearing.
2. Consider a Resolution
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Teague: Could I get a motion to approve,please?
Alter: So moved Alter.
Bergus: Second Bergus.
Teague: All right. Council discussion. Roll call,please. (Roll Call) Our motion passes 7-0.
Dunn: I'm going to recuse.
Goers: I'm sorry, abstain or recuse?
Dunn: I recuse, I'm not going to participte.
Goers:Normally one would recuse-
Dunn: I'll abstain and we'll talk.
Goers: I'm sorry?
Goers: I'll abstain and we'll talk. Continues roll call. And- and for clarity's sake, is there a legal
conflict I ask only because it matters for the um„ distribution of votes under council.
Dunn: I own stocks and I was just wondering about that I wanna be careful.
Goers: Ah,probably not more than 5%though?
Dunn:No.
Goers: Okay. Well, then-
Dunn: So in that case, like can I change my vote?
Goers: Uh,you-you may vote.
Dunn: Then yes,yes.
Goers: Okay.
Teague: Okay. Motion passes seven to zero.
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ILb Sale of 1311 Sandusky Drive—Resolution authorizing conveyance of a single-
family home located at 1311 Sandusky Drive.
Teague: All right. We are on to item number l Lb, Sale of 1311 Sandusky Drive -Resolution
authorizing conveyance of a single-family home located at 1311 Sandusky Drive. I'm
going to open the public hearing and welcome Tracy Hightshoe.
1. Public Hearing
Hightshoe: Hello,um„ for our new members,this South District home - I just want to give a
little bit of an update and I'll talk about this home. Um,we purchased 11 duplexes in the,
um, Taylor, Sandusky,Davis area. That'll be 22 future homes. As these units are vacated,
once both units are vacated,we renovate the home,we do a condo dec to separate it
and we sell it as an Affordable Home ownership. So this is our seventh home that we
have rehabilitated and we will sell. You can see the before and after photos. We pretty
much did a gut rehab for this home. In addition to just our normal windows, doors,we
put in extra insulation,we put in new air source heat pump, air source water heater,both
100% electric. We upgraded the 200 amp electric service,which can support a future EV
charging station. Um,you can see the kitchen remodel. I always love before and after
photos. We did bathrooms. Um,that bottom photo is the basement. This is a larger unit
for us. One of the larger. It is a four-bedroom,two-bath unit. Um,the sales price of the
home is 230,000 however,we put 50,000 of that as a second mortgage, as a silent second.
It's a conditional loan. If they're in the home for 10 years, it's completely forgiven. Each
year it decreases, and then we provide up to 25,000 in home down payment assistance for
qualifying. So this homeowner has been through the homeowner education courses and
counseling, so they can-they can own this house and finance it for approximately
155,000. So it is affordable. And this is, ah,the buyer is a new homeowner and a resident
of the South District. Any questions taken?All right.
Teague:No questions. Thank you. Anyone from the public like to address this topic? If you are
in person,please raise your hand and come on up. If online,please raise your hand,your
virtual hand. Seeing no one online. And also I do see a caller,um,you would have to dial
star nine, I believe, in order to speak if you're a caller. Welcome.
Ali: Hi again, it's Amel. Um, so this program is super cool. I think that it is one of the most
amazing things that you guys have done in the last few years. I have taken tours of the
homes,um, I have seen and made friends with people that currently live in the homes and
they're amazing. Um, I love these kinds of initiatives that you all have made.Um, I'm
hoping that,you know, as budget season rolls around,um,you're looking to increase
these kinds of initiatives. This is really important. Um, those statistics that Miss
Hightshoe gave um,were incredible and I think that this is an amazing opportunity,um,
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especially in Iowa City, in that South District. So thank you for that,um, and
congratulations on that-that one being finished. Thanks.
Teague: Thank you. Anyone else like to address the topic?Anyone else like to address this
topic? Seeing no one, I'm gonna close the public hearing.
2. Consider a Resolution
Teague: Could I get a motion to approve,please?
Salih: So moved.
Alter: Second Alter.
Teague: Moved by Salih, second by Alter, and Council discussion.
Salih: I just- I love those photographs. Thank you Tracy. And you know, I just remember when
this start, all the way, Mayor Teague reminded me of that because it was in the day of his
election when we start talking about this. So this is amazing and I love the concept that
we are selling it to the people who either live there in the house or live in the
neighborhood,which is great. So increasing home ownership for those people is really
amazing. And just keep going. I just hope the City keep doing this. Thank you Tracy and
the staff.
Teague: Absolutely.
Alter: I just want to say...
Teague: Ditto, ditto, ditto.
Alter: Yes. This is, as somebody who lives around the corner from where these units are
available, it is amazing to see it come up and to see,you know, older rental units get
rehabbed and see people move in is tremendous. But it also really does create,um, it's
another version of,um,neighborhood stabilization. It helps with generational wealth,um,
and really it just has so many offshoots that are positive. So I just I commend the
beginnings of this program,um, and where it's come since the beginning to now. It's
really successful and it's really exciting. Thank you.
Teague: I think one of the most powerful things is seeing someone in the neighborhood transition
from renter to owner, and that gives so many people hope, so I'm super excited that we
had this opportunity again before us. Roll call, please. (Roll Call) Motion passes 7-0.
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II.c Palestine and Israel Ceasefire—Resolution supporting a permanent ceasefire
in Palestine and Israel,the return of all captives,and the delivery of humanitarian
aid; and affirming opposition to antisemitism,Islamophobia,and anti-Arab bigotry
with the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution.
Teague: Item number l Le is Palestine and Israel Ceasefire -Resolution supporting a permanent
ceasefire in Palestine and Israel,the return of all captives, and the delivery of humant-
humanitarian aid, and affirming an opposition to antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-
Arab bigotry with the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution. And could I
get a motion to approve please?
Salih: Moved.
Bergus: Second.
Teague: Moved by Salih Second by Bergus. And just wanted to talk a little bit about this,um,
resolution that's before us. Um, as many individuals know,um, in our community,we
heard from a lot of voices that wanted the Council to,um,have a resolution.Um, and it
really didn't start at our last December meeting. We've been hearing from various voices
in our community. And,um,now Mayor Pro Tem,um,really wanted to get some
community members around the table to have a discussion about what is it that we can do
locally?We realize that no matter what we wrote, no matter what we did, there may not
be,um, an actual response that we would see,um, across the globe from what we write
here in Iowa City. But we also felt that it was important to have voices. Um,to create a
document that overall represented the thoughts of Iowa City for the people that live here.
Um,we do recognize that this document,um, is-you know it can be viewed by many in
various lights and,but our true hope was to really find a way to express ourselves,um,to
show that the love and support for all the Palestinians in Israel, ah, individuals that live in
our community. And so this that is before us tonight has been an achieved effort by
various community members that have come together. One night we had 16 individuals
that came together and sat around a table. Started at 8 P.M. and it was probably 10:30 or
later before we left. So,um, there was various other meetings, follow up meetings to
make sure that people had the opportunity to come back and make any revisions with the
intentionality of,um, doing what we can,um,to make sure that we decrease the harm,
um,between each other during these discussions. And so I'll leave it at that. I know that
there's a lot of individuals- some individuals here that want to speak. I wanted to get a
raising of hand so that I can determine how many individuals wanted to speak. And if
you are online and you want to speak,please raise your hand as well so that I can count
you in this number also. All right. I see about 10 people,maybe 11 before us. Okay. All
right. Um, so we're going to give three minutes. I just will give a heads up that um, I may
have to reduce the number if there are some more people getting up. Um,but I'll give
three minutes and I also ask that,um,because this is a very important topic. Um, so
please state your name and the city you're from. There are stickers in the back that I will
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request people to pre-fill out, so you can just drop it in the basket. You don't have to take
off the sticker but just drop it in the basket. Um, otherwise,you can sign in at the desk
when you come. Welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
Totah: Hello, I am Deema Totah. I'm an Iowa City resident and I'm a Palestinian American, a
professor of mechanical engineering as well. I spoke here three weeks ago and shared
some of my experiences growing up under Israeli occupation. And today I'm speaking to
you on behalf of Iowa City Action for Palestine, a local citizens group. I want to thank
you all for listening and working with your community to propose this resolution. A
resolution that has so much community support. In the last few months, I've met and
worked alongside individuals from a wide cross section of this community, including
Christians,Jews, Muslims, members of the LGBTQ+ community, students, nurses, social
workers, librarians, and more. I have never felt more hopeful,more united. We all know
our rights are connected,they are universal. Beyond the people standing in this room,the
text of this resolution you have in front of you right now has been publicly endorsed by
over 20 organizations locally and this is just and- and over 140 individuals. This is just in
the past 48 hours, so this isn't- since Sunday morning during a holiday, and this number
has continued to grow ever since 2:00 P.M. today, including the addition of the Great
Plains Action Society. This community is diverse and it is unified in demanding peace,
justice, and freedom for all. Looking at this Council today, I envy you,because each one
of you has a voice today. A platform you have earned with this Council seat. We as US
citizens,have not been given a choice about whether we support Israel's bombing and
killing of Palestinians,mass destruction of Palestinian society and infrastructure. Our
government has forced us to pay for Israeli militarization and ongoing oppression of
Palestinians through our tax dollars to Israel and through US vetoes at the UN. But here
today you have a voice,you have a choice to say Palestinian and Israeli rights are human
rights. Washington has not heard us, so we've come to you to amplify our voices. So raise
your heads high and vote proudly to pass this resolution,this text. Vote to unify our
community with global values,to move our society forward,to say we are not okay with
the continuation of destruction, of killing, and starvation of children anywhere. Pass this
resolution for all of us. Enable us to reject this forced complicity. Iowa City will not be
complicit. We will not be silent. Thank you.
Teague: Welcome.
Misyuk: Hello, I'm Dani Misyuk from Iowa City and a member of Jewish Voices for Peace,
Eastern Iowa. The Jewish people are a people of resilience. My great grandparents were
Holocaust survivors who did everything they could to protect their children and their
descendants. It kills me that Israel is doing the same in their name. Zionism, a political
movement that Judaism predates by thousands of years,has become a violent colonial
ideology. There is no justification that Judaism gives to Israel and the Israeli government
for the genocide that they are perpetuating. Israel is using Judaism in those killed or
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Page 27
traumatized by antisemitism as reasoning for their crimes. It is a propaganda campaign
plain and simple. These are dangerous lies for both Jews and Palestinians. Why should
the safety of my people come at the expense of an entire population? In no world is that
something I will allow to happen in my name and in no way is that a Jewish value. To be
for the liberation of Palestine is to know that colonialism has no place in our world, even
when framed in a way that seems to imply it's for the greater good of a marginalized
people. Jewish pain and trauma are not justification for the pain and trauma of the
Palestinians. Anti-Zionists know that liberation is a collective fight. The safety and
freedom of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people around the world go hand in
hand. The death of white supremacy and colonialism is needed for the death of
antisemitism,they are linked. And to say that anti-Zionism with antisemitism is to
diminish the real pain Jewish people have experienced and still endure today. House
condemning an occupation equal to the pogroms show of synagogue shootings and hate
crimes of our history and present day. I urge the passing of this resolution because we as
a city need to stand against genocide and for the liberation of Palestinians. We must stand
together as a community in the call for an immediate ceasefire and for the entry of
humanitarian aid into Gaza. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Lubaroff: Thank you, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is David Lubarof£ I
am the current president of the Agudas Achim Synagogue and of the board of trustees.
I'm not here to comment on the intent of the resolution. I applaud its attempt to,um,
repress antisemitism and Islamophobia, et cetera,but,uh, I'd like to address some of the
wording that's used. And if this is going to be released as- as a resolution, I think we need
to reflect the-the current and correct conditions. Um, I object to the word captives. The
Israelis that were,uh, taken by the Hamas terrorists are hostages. There's a difference
between being a captive and a hostage, and I would like the word-the correct term to be
reflected in the document. Also, I'm troubled by the term civilians when referring to the
killings in Gaza and West Bank. Hamas terrorists are civilians. Civilians is usually a term
used as comparing it to the military. There is no formal official military,uh, of Hamas.
The terms that should be used are combatants and innocents. Certainly, innocent people
who are being killed,uh, and that needs to come to an end. Um, I also object to the
phrase in item number 5,which states, "especially those that aim to alleviate the urgent
humanitarian disaster in Gaza". I think it'd be better stated to include both the release of
Israeli hostages and to alleviate the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. I ask Council,uh, oh,
finally I- I would like- I see no purpose in the item that states the number of dollars of
taxes paid by Iowa City, "our taxpayers for military and humanitarian aid," it doesn't
flow with the intent of the resolution and it can be inflammatory. So I ask the Council to
make appropriate changes,uh,that I have suggested before accepting this resolution.
Thank you.
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Teague: Thank you. Welcome.
Josephson: My name is Maher Josephson,Johnson County,Precinct 10,University of Iowa
alum. I grew up in Palestine, immigrated- immigrated to the US 49 years ago. I represent
an organization called People for Justice in Palestine. I proffer to say that we should
rename the ceasefire resolution to end the genocide in Gaza resolution as a more apt
nomenclature. Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 for one day. Israel has been
bombarding Gaza in a genocidal fashion for almost three months, aided and abetted by
our federal government with endless supply of weapons, infl- influenced by Zionist
lobbying groups, and cheered by the profiteers of the military industrial complex. It's now
evident that Hamas's goal on October 7 was to break the shackles of occupation in the
blockade on Gaza and to secure the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners who
have been languishing in the Israeli gulag for years, indeed for decades. Every Palestinian
prisoner in the Israeli gulag is a political prisoner, and some of them even had no charges
levied against them in a complete denial of due process of law. An apt description of such
a situation can be called total human degradation and absolute oppression. A mark of
settler colonial forces at play here. By voting- sorry, I lost it. Everybody else- okay. By
voting for the consensus resolution,you will be sending a message to public officials
outside the jurisdiction of Iowa City,that Iowa City citizens are not fooled by
propaganda,the undue influence of military industrial complex, and Zionist lobbying
groups in the US. I urge you to vote yes on this resolution. I urge the listeners of my
speech to contact their representatives on the local, state and federal levels, including two
senators-the two senators from Iowa, and urge them to call for a ceasefire in Gaza now.
Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Welcome please state your name and city you're from.
Bracewell: Hello,my name is Tristan Bracewell and I live here in Iowa City. Um, I get up here
and complain a lot about what you guys do. So I wanted to start off by actually
commending you for the-the text of the resolution that you've drafted, for the Palestine
Israel Ceasefire and urge you to vote yes on it. Specifically I was uh,pleasantly surprised
to see the inclusion of thousands of Palestinians including minors held without charge in
Israeli prisons as a necessary part of any hostage exchange. I was also happy to see the
United States Government called out for its complicity in Israel's actions um, and I was
uh,happy to see uh,the amount of tax dollars that citizens of this community contribute
that are being used to fund the slaughter and displacement of Palestinian people. I would
like to challenge uh,the Council to go further in investigating ways to ensure Iowa City
is divested from entities that profit from the violent occupation and uh, slaughter of
Palestinian people from their land. As the City continues to grapple with issues of police
funding, I would also like to draw attention to the connections between the oppression of
Palestinians and people in our communities. Many of the tactics and weapons used by
law enforcement in the United States are developed and tested first as part of the control
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and oppression of Palestinians in their own land. Uh,United States police often train
alongside and receive training from the Israeli Defense Forces um, and I think that is
something that you should all consider when you consider increase- increasing funding to
police in our community. Thank you for your time.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome please state your name and city you're from.
Flaherty: Hi, I'm Ed Flaherty with Veterans for Peace Chapter 161. Our chapter did endorse the
proposed uh,resolution. I think a sense of urgency is necessary. Why?Because the
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are being killed at an alarming rate, over 22,000
killed. Over 85% of Gazans are displaced from their homes. Food, fresh water,medical
supplies, and hospitals are scarce and related deaths may soon outpace those who are
outrightly killed. And third reason is the longer this conflict goes on,the greater the
chaos,the greater the possibility of the conflict expanding beyond Palestine and Israel.
Uh,just over the weekend Harif Hussein,who's the chief economist of the UN's World
Food Program, said, I've been pretty much- "I've been to pretty much any conflict,
whether Yemen, South Sudan,Northeast Nigeria,Ethiopia,you name it, and I have never
seen anything like this,both in terms of its scale, its magnitude,but also at the pace that
this has unfolded."A reminder of course,that uh, Israel has nuclear weapons. A reminder
about Jimmy Carter's book, 2006,Palestine:Peace not Apartheid. I wondered about the
term Nakba. Do high school graduates or University of Iowa graduates know what that
means? I hear the phrase,there are no innocents in Gaza. Fifty percent of Gazans are
under the age of 18. Pope Francis on Christmas deplored the appalling harvest of
innocent civilians. Targeting of innocent civilians is illegal and immoral regardless of
who,when,why, and where.Now,the Biden administration does seek fewer civilian
deaths,wants more humanitarian aid, descries - decries, indiscriminate airstrikes, and
rules out Israeli control of post war Gaza. It knows what the right things are,but it must
be pressured to do the right things.Now,time is short for Gaza,time is short for the
United States. Most of us in this room have been described as vermin. We have little
time.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome please state your name and city you're from.
Weeks: My name is Jason Weeks, I come from Iowa City. Mr. Mayor,members of the City
Council, and my fellow citizens, on behalf of Iowans for Palestine, I rise in strong
support of this resolution before the Council for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in
Gaza. I note that I think that the text is acceptable as it is, and we can't afford quibbles
about language in- in the face of this terrible emergency. To many Americans,the war in
Gaza seems distant and not very relevant to their lives. But here in this town,we know
that this is not true, and we are in a position to communicate a credible sense of alarm to
other Americans. And we must do so because we are all in very great danger and the
danger will grow over time. Our government has foolishly signed on to an open ended
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commitment to Israel to pursue what experts say is an unrealistic objective,the complete
elimination of its enemy. Israel says the war will last many more months,but we've
already seen the gates of hell open wide. Gaza has been decimated and the people are
starving. Much of the world is furious with Israel and with us. They see the bloody
corpses of children being pulled from under the rubble every day. We in America,need
to pull back before it's too late. We in our city cannot look away because we are an
international city,people come here from all over the world, and people from here visit
every part of the planet. Every American who travels abroad today falls under a state
department travel advisory because of this war. The risk of a dangerous escalation of the
war and blowback rises every day. America is isolated today. The longer this horrible war
goes on,the deeper the tragedy will be for Palestine and the greater the danger for us
Americans. Most Americans may not see this yet,but we in the city are in a position to
see it, sound the alarm and join others all around the country to pressure our government
to change course. Please support this resolution as is and vindicate our good name as
Americans in the face of the horrors being done in our name. Thank you.
Teague: Welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
Street: My name is Paul Street, I'm from Iowa City. I am an historian and author, a socialist, and
a member of the Editorial Board Of the National Organization Refuse Fascism. Speaking
of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, I urge the Iowa City Council to pass this resolution
calling for a permanent US, Israel ceasefire in Palestine and for an immediate end to the
ongoing US, Israel crucifixion of Gaza. The racist occupation, apartheid and terror State
of Israel has for three months now conducted a genocidal war of ethnic cleansing in
Gaza. It is a war that top global humanitarian leaders call the most catastrophic attack on
civilians they have ever seen. And Israel has done this with US funding,US weapons,US
protection,under a president who peace activists have justifiably nicknamed Genocide
Joe. Israel has in Gaza killed more children in three months than all the children killed in
all the conflict zones in the world in the last three years.Now, opposing this US backed
war does not make one antisemitic or anti-Israel, it just makes one human.No decent
person can stay silent while thousands upon thousands of children are murdered,maimed,
sickened, and starved in this 21st century holocaust. It's taking place right in front of us.
You can see it in the mainstream media. Small children being pulled from piles of
smoking rubble.Never again was supposed to mean never again for anyone.Now we
know the City Council does not make US foreign policy, of course. Still, it helps the
peace cause when local US governments go on record opposing crimes against humanity
that are being carried out with US funding,US arms, and US protection. And at the same
time,we should bear in mind that billions of dollars the US sends to Israel to commit its
unspeakable crimes can't be spent to alleviate poverty, educate children,house people,
overcome inequality, and support local governments here and across the country. And we
should bear in mind that Iowa City is home to a significant number of Palestinian,Arab
and Muslim people who deserve to hear that their local officials care about the fate of
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family and loved ones in Palestine,the Middle East, and Southwest Asia and that Iowa
City is home to a longstanding peace and justice tradition uh,upheld by citizens for
whom silence in the face of racist and genocidal violence is complicity in that
criminality. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior
would urge you to support this resolution.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome please state your name and city you're from.
Lenz: I'm Perry Lens, and I'm from Iowa City. I just want to make a few points. I urge the
Council to support this uh,resolution as it is for permanent ceasefire. And, anyway, one
point that I want to make is Iowa City is an overwhelmingly democratic city. There's
polls that show - I think maybe I have the- I might not have the numbers right-
something like 67% of Democrats support a ceasefire. This is something, I'm sure most
of the constituents of Iowa City want. Look at that group of organizations that's endorsing
this ceasefire resolution. There's many groups that probably support this resolution that
aren't on that list. This is something that the City Council needs to consider. Another
thing that hasn't been brought up is,uh, I don't know if people are aware, I think there
was something like 21,000 civilians have been killed by Israel forces compared to like a
little over 2000 that was killed by Hamas. So when people try to make that comparison
by Hamas and Israel,there's just no comparison. Israel has oppressed the Palestinian
nation since the founding of Israel and so, like I said, I urge the City Council to uh,
approve this um,resolution. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you,welcome.
Scheetz: Thank you, Council. My name is Sami Scheetz. I'm a city representative,representing
Cedar Rapids in the Iowa Legislature. In 2022, I was the fust Arab American elected to
serve in the Iowa Legislature in our state's history. I'm deeply proud of my heritage as I
am a proud citizen of this state,which has given so much to families like my own. The
fust week of January- in the fust week of January -the word resolution is thrown around
a lot. It's used to mark an occasion, a choice we make about our own behavior. Some of
us resolved to be better partners to our loved ones,better parents,better citizens. But the
word resolution has another meaning, one less often used. Being firm in your convictions,
we must remember makes one resolute. And that's how I feel about the actions before the
City Council of Iowa City tonight. Since October 7,when Hamas killed more than 1,200
Israelis in a brutal attack, I have condemned all violence against the Israeli people and the
Palestinian people, as well as antisemitism and anti-Arab rhetoric and violence. At the
same time,there is no reason to believe that more violence in Gaza will lead to an end to
a conflict which has raged in that region for more than half a century. Since October 7,
more than 22,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip. Two million people have
been displaced. Seventy percent of the residential units in Gaza have been destroyed or
damaged. This is not justice that will lead to a lasting peace,this is chaos. It has become
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clear that there is no military solution that will bring stability to Gaza. That's why I urge
the City Council of Iowa City to join the growing calls for a ceasefire, and to urge
President Biden and his administration to apply all pressure at its disposal to end the
bloodshed. This is not a radical idea. Virtually all UN agencies and aid groups have
called for a ceasefire, 90% of countries across the world, including neighbors and allies
like Canada and Mexico,have joined together to call for a ceasefire to end the violence.
This resolution, if passed here tonight,will not change the outcome of the conflict in
Gaza on its own. But each voice matters, and our collective conscience must be weighed
against our desire for comfort. And when history is written about our time here, it should
be shown that we stood for peace,justice, and nonviolence. I urge the City Council to
adopt this resolution. Thank you.
Teague: Thank you. Please state your name and city you're from.
Abuissa: My name is Newman Abuissa. I want to thank you, thank the Mayor specifically who
has been working with us groups supporting this resolution hand in hand and
representative or Mayor Pro Tem as well, Salih for working with us on this resolution.
And we have really organized this presentation to the Council today asking only groups
to be represented because we know that dozens more of us would be-would like to talk,
but we want to limit the number of people who are talking today. And we appreciate you
listening to us today. I just want to say that, uh, on a daily basis,we have about 300
people killed. While we have meeting here today, for the last two hours,we have more
than two dozen people killed. So about one third of them are children. Just that is today
and that is just these hours. I wanna- I guess on- on a daily basis, Israel is bombing one
thousand bombs for the last 87 days. And those thousand bombs are hitting buildings,
infrastructure. You are talking about building infrastructures here,they are hitting places
of worship. I just want to bring a place close to my heart is they bombed Saint Porphyrius
Orthodox Church,which was built in 1150 and they are doing indiscriminant bombing.
That church was holding refuge for 450 people at the time, and 18 people were killed and
dozens more were injured in that one bomb. And- and that 1150, 12th century church has
been damaged. And that shows the indiscriminant bombing of Israel. They killed their
own hostages because they are killing everything which moves, so they-they are not
discriminating between children or anybody else. They are killing everybody they-they
see in front of them. And I-uh,when I say that this is a first step for- for this- for
resolution,because Israel and Palestine conflict has been going on for- for decades, 75
years, and- and some people throw around a few, ah, solutions,two-state solution, one-
state solution, ethnic cleansing. And that two-two of the ministers in- in Israel are saying
outright kill them all. Get- get them out of this- this area. They want to ethnically cleanse
those. And the-the last option is apartheid. And that's what's been going on, and that's
what we need to be concentrating on even after this conflict. This apartheid will not end
without American support. That's what happened in South Africa, and that's what needs
to happen in Palestine, Israel for the future. I appreciate your time and I urge you to
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support this-this resolution. It's very important. I'm proud to be an Iowa Citian. And I
know that Iowa City will be a leading city in Iowa and around the nation in approving
this resolution. Thank you.
Teague: Ple-please state your name and city you're from. I'm not sure if I heard that. Oh,he did.
Okay, great. Please welcome.
Sterling: Hi, ah,David Sterling from Iowa City. Ah, give me just one sec here. Ah, I was asked
to help make this full screen and hey, I figured it out. Um,uh, so I had some prepared
remarks,but, ah, a million people spoke before me on this, and they all said it more
eloquently. So I'm just going to try to speak off the cuff for a bit on my personal
experience with this matter. Um,when I was seven,my father,who is not Jewish,took
me to the Chicago Holocaust Museum to see what had happened to my people on my
mother's side of the family. Um, ever since, ah,the attacks in October, and the Israeli
response, I've kind of been trapped in the moment of walking through the simulations of
checkpoints, train cars, factories. Ethnic cleansing and genocide are words that we've
heard,my generation has heard our entire lives as matters of history. Ah,but in the last
10 years,we've grown increasingly aware that these are matters carried out domestically
as well. Um, I don't mean to distract from the issue at hand,which is the genocide in
Gaza,but I would also like to raise that Iowa City is in fact participating in a form of
ethnic cleansing in terms of how it treats its immigrant population. Ah,whenever an
immigrant person in this town is unable to meet rent and they are evicted by the Iowa
City Police, that is a form of ethnic cleansing. In Iowa City,we do not have any
immigrant detention camps,but across the US we do, and in those camps,we have had
official word, discoveries that people are being forced to have hysterectomies,to be
sterilized by the US government. This is an issue that is domestic. This is an issue closer
to us. If we can find in our hearts the capacity to be compassionate and act for people
who are across the world, as we rightly should, ask that we also consider the possibility
of a resolution condemning the US government's sterilization and genocide against
immigrant populations. Thank you very much.
Teague: Thank you. Welcome. Please state your name and city you're from.
Sherer: Good evening. My name is Jennifer Sherer, I'm a resident of Iowa City. I am here
speaking as an individual tonight. But I want to share um,that there is a large and
growing chorus of labor union organizations across the country calling for a ceasefire in
language that is very consistent with a resolution before you tonight, and I'm here to urge
you to adopt the resolution that's before you. Um,there are, ah, dozens of national,
regional, and local organizations already signed on to a labor movement calling for
ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. And,um, I am one of thousands of also rank and file
union members who've also signed that statement. I just wanted to share a couple of
excerpts from it to give you a flavor of,um, of the text. Um, it reads,we,the members of
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the American Labor Movement,mourn the loss of life in Israel and Palestine. We express
our solidarity with all workers in our common desire for peace in Palestine and Israel,
and we call on our President and Congress to push for an immediate ceasefire and end to
the siege of Gaza. We cannot bomb our way to peace. We also condemn any hate crimes
against Muslim,Jews or anyone else. There are four core calls in the labor state,the
ceasefire statement. They include restoring the basic rights of people to water, fuel, food,
and other humanitarian aid. Ah,the second focus is on call for the Israeli hostages taken
by Hamas to be immediately released. The third focuses on a ceasefire- a permanent
ceasefire -just as the resolution you're considering tonight, and calling for the US to act
and for our president to immediately call for a ceasefire,which we know would have
incredible power. The statement also acknowledges that, like residents of our community
here,union members around the country come from diverse backgrounds, including
Jews,Muslims, and Middle Eastern communities. The rising escalation of war and arm
sales does not serve the interests of workers anywhere. And in the end,we all want a
place to call home and for our children to be safe. Working people around the world want
and deserve to live free from the effects of violence,war, and militarization. And the
statement goes on with a couple of other paragraphs. But I think that gives you a sense of
how consistent those sentiments are with the resolution you're considering tonight. So
thank you for the opportunity to be here and for,um,your support of the resolution.
Teague: Thank you. And we will hear from our final speaker at this time. Welcome.
Salomon: I'm Frank Salomon of Iowa City, a relative by marriage of people in one of the
kibbutzim or communal villages that were attacked on the 7th of October. And so-I want
us to speak with our whole hearts and with all our prudence today. I'm distressed when I
hear people say that we are going to send a message which then includes inflammatory
and dubious and even perhaps intemperate words. I'm proud that we are working with a
carefully worded resolution. Its message is exactly what it says. While we are each
grieving for the peoples that we love, let us also do our best to earn the honor of being
known as people who say what they mean and mean what they say. Thank you.
Teague: Thank. And thanks to all the speakers that have spoke on this matter. We're going to
switch over to Council discussion at this time.
Dunn: So I- I- I've had a number of conversation uh, conversations with folks um, about some
requested changes um,to the resolution, as well as um, some of them were previously
mentioned here before us today. Um, so I'd like to bring those up just kind of informally,
and if we can get approval,there's not that many,they're not substantial really in any
way. Um,but would just kind of like to go through those and see if we have support, also
just run through like the-the justifications. That would be cool. So the first one is to,um,
the list of what we resolve.Number 9,um,just strikes the period at the end of the
sentence and adds, and the President of the United States. I think it makes sense to send
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this to like the chief international state policymaker um, for the United States. So in
addition to um, sending it to the members of the state legislature,the governor's office
and Congress,we'd also send it to the President of the United States. So is there-how do
people feel about that?Yeah. So I think we'll go with-we have to formally motion that or
should I do this as like a block?
Goers: Well, it depends on what the Council would like to do here. If you want to make a motion
on the floor,you can do a motion to amend. Um, I'm not sure how many you have or-
Dunn: Just a handful.
Goers: Okay. Well, it's up to the presiding Officer to address.
Teague: I- I think um,because we want to hear from all- all of the Councilors that want to speak
on this matter. Maybe if you just made your suggestions, and then um,we'll talk through
any of those.
Dunn: Sounds good. Um, so the fust,yeah the President one. Um, the other one was um, specific
to line 9, if we're just counting text. Uh,whereas hundreds of thousands of lives are at
imminent risk,that particular section um,just changing or striking the and people and
replacing that with um,noncombatants,um, sort of civilian noncombatants. Um, and
then, as well as replacing captives with hostages when we're talking about Israeli
captives,both enter- in the top line and in the body, and then adding release of hostages
to number 5 as was requested. I think it's reasonable. I think all of them are reasonable
and don't substantially change the um,the message of the resolution or what we intend to
communicate. And I do tend to agree that,though quibbling over language is frustrating,
I think that it's important that we be specific here.
Moe: I- I agree with Councilor Dunn that quibbling over language it's not quibbling. I think it's
important that we get it right. And um,just as a sort of a moment of humility, I knew
when getting into City Council,we'd be faced with very complicated questions. Um, and
when we came against those complicated questions,we have a remarkable staff at the
City full of experts who can help advise us. This one, I learned about it like the rest of
Council before the holiday weekend when our City staff wasn't here, and also when we
don't have a foreign policy expert on staff. And so, I am deeply disgusted by the amount
of violence in the Middle East. I just want to make sure we get this right. And I
understand and hear the opinions of people who spoke today about being quick and being
thoughtful,um,but I also want to make sure we get it right. And I'm not completely
certain that going through making edits here is the right way to do this. However,um, I- I
would love to hear from everyone else if there are a minimal amount of changes or a way
that we can feel like we have even more expert input on the crafting of this message. Or
maybe more time for the community because our late packets included messages from
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people because they just didn't see it. Um, and I don't also know if the entire community
has had an opportunity to weigh in. But I do want to reiterate that I'm horrified by the
violence and in so far that we can signal that this is a welcoming community that loves
people, and that we decree Islamophobia, anti Arab sentiment in- in- and anti-
antiemitism here in Iowa City. We should absolutely do that for the foreign policy points
of here. Um, I just taking a moment of pause um,to see what other people have to say.
Alter: Thank you both for your opening up this conversation um. I was very struck, as I'm sure
everyone in this room was,by the resolutions that started our meeting. And I was very
struck by um, in fact, I know one of the speakers,Mr. Sheets,had even talked about each
voice matters. And I applaud the efforts that were done with a sense of urgency. Um,
having to work around the holidays where there were people who were not available,
um,having to work through our open meeting laws,which meant that we could not have
a quorum of Councilors for many of us actually reading through the resolution. Yes,we
found out about it in advance um,that it was going to be going forward,but in terms of
having any substantive input,um,that has not been possible. What I find more significant
though is that in our resolutions to kick off the meeting, it was about Iowa City being a
place where everyone belongs. And that-this is how we want to live our values,this is
how we want to um, embody our values. Um, and each voice does matter. I don't know
that we have heard the whole community. And I would like us to have a pause so that we
can hear from additional people who in conversations with me um,have said they do not
feel comfortable. Or in finding out who was invited to these meetings, either wasn't able
to participate because of the holiday schedule or, in fact, felt uncomfortable doing so. I
think that that's important. We have heard a plethora of voices and I am like Councilor
Moe, a full throated resolution deploring the violence and the senseless killing.
Absolutely. For myself, a part of this,there's two resolutions in here. I feel that there's as
much of a strong humanitarian pronouncement in here. There is also an advocacy
statement, and I don't know that the entire community is 100%behind this. There is a
strong outcry, absolutely,but I have not heard from others in the community who are also
impacted by this.
Bergus: It is a challenge for the fust meeting of the year to be on a topic that I think none of us
um,thought that we might be facing,you know, for our Iowa City City Council. I ah,
read the text of the resolution after having had a number of conversations about it. And I
will say, I was incredibly pleased with how careful and um,noninflamatory and um,
thoughtful it was,having understood the process that it went through to reach that point,
and knowing that we will never hear from 100% of the community and we will never
have 100% of the community in agreement. So our challenge as elected leaders of this
community is to decide when to draw those lines because we know-we know we can't
get it perfect,unfortunately. Um, and so I- I was um, fine with the resolution as it was
presented to us today. I also agree with Councilor Dunn's proposed amendments. I agree
that they don't, ah, change the substance or the intent of the resolution,but that they
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include, ah, important nods relating to specific words that have significant meaning to
some members of our community. And so I would be in favor of those changes that you
indicated. But I think that this is such a difficult and nuanced topic that if we take more
time,we will continue to get mired in those details. And I greatly appreciate the sense of
urgency and the opportunity we have here.
Teague: I am going to respectfully ask that anyone in the audience please remain silent during
Council deliberations. Thank you.
Harmsen: So while I hear, I think,um,the idea that we haven't yet,um,we can't get 100% of- of
the community, I think that's-that's-that's self evident and true. Um, I do think one of my
concerns with this is the fact that it has come since the last meeting on December 12,um,
that there hasn't been time for people who are stakeholders in this,um,to both know
about it and respond to it, especially because it did come over the holidays. Um, so I
think- I have heard from some people who did discover it, and, ah,you know I think we
heard from at least one gentleman tonight who indicated this. That there is a- a concern
that in doing what-much of this,by the way, I- I think it's great the-the stuff about our
principles and so on. But one of my concerns is, is it right for me to say this is fine, it's
not offensive, it's not antisemitic, it's not whatever else as somebody who's not Jewish
any more than I would say,well,this is fine, it's not anti-Arab or it's not anti-Muslim,
without at least giving people from the stakeholder groups a chance to know this exists,
to read through it, and to offer some sort of input and feedback. What I don't want to do is
accidentally, in trying to address one global injustice, accidentally commit a different
injustice on our local community,members of our local community. And that is
something that-that I think we are at risk of doing. Um, and that- that's fine. I just think
we, it deserves the care and the time, especially because it's not like we're talking about
the ability to shut off the things that are happening. My concern is many-many concerns,
but one of them has to be the different parts of our community and make sure that
members of our community do have a chance to chime in, do have a chance to be
included. Um, and I think this has been a fantastic start to this process. I had the-the
wonderful opportunity to sit in on one of the last meetings before- on Thursday before
this came out,um, and I was very impressed by the people that-that have been working
on this. And so I in no way want to belittle the work that's been done or say that-that this
is-this is,you know,wholesale wrong or anything like that. Um,but I still don't think
that this has something that we should, even if we pause for another meeting, if we put
this on a work session, I just- I don't know that I feel comfortable without having that full
consideration and giving our members of our community, some of whom I have heard
from and who will this will do some harm to some members of our community. And- and
not members of the Israeli government,but members of our community. And I think that
is something we should consider and we should- should understand that we don't want to
be doing harm to any members of our community, including the people here tonight,the
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people that aren't here tonight. And I think giving people time to at least have some input,
especially to speak on behalf of this entire community.
Salih: I just want to say that thank you for the people who have been brave and come here and
talk about this. I know how like really difficult this topic. There's many- I know many
Palestine people who are not even able to come to talk about it because this has really
hurt them. What's happening there is not an easy thing. And let me tell you a little bit
about how we come up with this resolution. Because I need-the public need to know that.
So following the Governor order of lowering the flag you know and encouraging
municipalities to do so,many people reached out to me and they said that we don't like
this,we don't want to be like why cities or municipalities side with some people. And
they want to come here to the City Council and talk about this as well. They want to go to
the school board and talk about this as well. But I just said,you know what?Let us come
up with interface messaging that will do good instead of coming and talking about what
the government ask and create division in this community. We don't want to create a
division. If we can talk I know just, Councilor Harmsen just talked about like how we
need to have injustice. Justice is not divided. And if the city lower the flag for Israel
people to honor that,you know,the-the Governor request,this resolution is nothing. I
got very hurt when I found out our own city lowered the flag. The governor was asking to
encourage the people to municipality to do. You know even though maybe the City
Council who are sitting here in this chamber is not the one who ordered the flag to be
allowed for Iowa City,but we should be hold accountable about any action the staff will
doing.
Teague: Again, I'm going to respectfully ask everybody to be silent.
Salih: Yes, please.
Teague: Thank you.
Salih: And that's what I am- I'm thinking. When the residents of Iowa City submit a resolution
that's really strong and bold. And Seattle City also, they submit the Seattle City resolution
which is also strong. I really like it,but you know that we come up with something, even
very light,to compare-to compare those two. Like to compare it by those two because
we don't want to feel like we're siding with nobody. I understand there is Jewish in this
community. I know it's- I understand there is like,uh,you know, Christian Pallestine
here, I understand there is Muslim Pallestine here. The last thing I want to do,to be side
with someone, even though as a city we did. But instead of talking about this and creating
more division and community,that's why we come with this resolution. We said we need
something that focus on ceasefire because we don't like killing from both sides. And this
is you know like talking about few wording that changing, even though I agree with
Councilor Dunn about changing of those words,there is no problem. But not changing
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the whole thing. And listening from- from the community, I appreciate the people who
come last time and come now and the people who send us e-mails and the people- and I
know that from Jewish people that,who participate on this resolution- on creating this
resolution,they said that there is many people in the community know about this,why we
did not hear from them. I appreciate also the person who talked earlier here. You know,
thank you for coming and I like talk about it. And I really would love- I was waiting to
see the people. I just hear from the people that there is some people against this, come
here,tell us why. And also I hear that maybe they are afraid they be targeted. Target by
who? That by itself is not acceptable. Is that means they're going to be targeted by the
other group who are here. You know, I really just- I don't want to talk too much on this so
I can give as a Council member to do this. But I really urge the Council to vote you
know, for this resolution with consideration of Andrew Dunn's change. Thank you.
Teague: I appreciate all the my colleagues comments at this point. And of course I really
appreciate the comments from the public tonight and for those that aren't here as well that
have spoke on this. You know, I am, I still have a lot of joy at the process that was taken
with folks from different communities creating this document that's before us tonight.
Granted, I will be the fust to say that I know that nothing that we create - and this was
something we identified -nothing we create will be one hundred percent perfect or
without offending someone. But the work and the intentionality that went into this
document, I have to tell you, I was very impressed at all of the conversations that went
forth to the point where we wanted to-where the-the group wanted to make sure that
when- as the document read, one name isn't fust all the time. To the point where we went
through and said,Palestine, Israel, Israel, Palestine,making sure that when there was
something mentioned about one of the,you know communities,the other one was also
mentioned. It was very intentional to not take sides.Now,there are some things in here
arguably,that um, gives facts,numbers,that doesn't feel good. That doesn't-that-yes, it
can be taken as a political statement. Um, and I recognize it. I don't dispute it. Um, but at
this point, I think no matter- if we,you know go back and do something else,we're going
to have the same conversation no matter how this document is reconstructed. But I will
say because of the intentionality that went into this document, and the- I mean,people
really did not want to do harm.Now, are there some folks that um,you know,wanted
some stronger language?And- absolutely um,but I think the group,you know took steps
back when someone said like I understand,you know the intent,but this reads by some
they can read it this way. And so I'm comfortable with this document,with the changes
that have been proposed by Councilor Dunn. And again,to anyone that is out there that
may be offended by any words in this document,what I will say is the intent of Iowa City
um, speaking our-really our- our concern and our humanitarian position,that is what we
wanted to get- get at. And I'm sorry if there's a word or something that we may not
change right now if this should get passed that is offensive. That is not what we want to
do. We really want to not take sides and to- and to really come from a humanian-
humanitarian point of view,to say that killing of any type needs to end. It's not right. I
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don't care if it's someone in their'90s or a- a baby, it's not right. And so I will be
supporting this um,with the changes that has been um, suggested by Councilor Dunn.
Bergus: Mayor, if I could just to- a couple of words from my colleagues who are considering
taking more time for additional process, as someone who cares very very much about
process, I do see this as the result of a very careful,very intentional process in which,
yes, it was over a difficult period in the year and,you know, a relatively short amount of
time. But certainly, I had been receiving comments from the public well before our
December 12 meeting, and I think we've been aware of this issue for- for months before
then as well. So I do think that we know that taking more time serves the status quo, and
if what we wish to do is push against that, let's embrace the urgency.
Dunn: Should we go through the amendments?
Goers: That would be great. I think I have most of them,but there were a couple that I was a
little confused about so if you want to go through them again that'd be very helpful.
Dunn: I'll just go through the whole thing. Starting with the-the title,replacing captives with
hostages on the left. Then with the one,two,three -third block,whereas hundreds of
thousands, end of that strike the, strike people, strike and, and replace it with
noncombatants comma and or civilian non-noncombatants comma and.
Bergus: Can you just read what that sentence would say?
Dunn: The sentence would say, "whereas hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk
without an immediate permanent ceasefire,restoration of basic necessities and delivery of
adequate and unconditional humani-humanitarian aid without delay to Palestinian
civilian noncombatants and...:" Then the next block,whenever you're ready.
Goers: I'm ready.
Dunn: Just strike captives uh, after Palestinians.
Goers: Just strike it or.
Dunn: Just strike.
Goers: Okay.
Dunn: Well, Palestinians add the S, the plural uh, and then strike captives.
Bergus: And so should be Israelis with plural.
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Dunn: Oh,yes. Correct. Yep. So the whole thing would read, "whereas more than 100 Israelis
are held by Hamas, and more than 7,000 Palestinians are held without due process under
Israeli martial law and..."Uh,then moving on to the next page. Whenever your ready.
Goers: Yes.
Dunn:Number five,um,the City of Iowa City asked our congressional delegation to support all
resolutions and legislation that match the values stated throughout this Iowa City
resolution, especially those that aim to alleviate the urgent humanitarian disaster in Gaza
and release of host- in the release of Israeli hostages, such as House Resolution number
786. Then uh,two final edits to 1 to 7,replace to,just add non combatant people of Gaza.
And at the very bottom, so it will say "the City of Iowa City supports the delivery of
immediate,unconditional, and sufficient humanitarian aid to the noncombatant people of
Gaza."And then the final amendment is to 9,which just strikes the period at the end of
the-the sentence and adds "and the President of the United States. " So the whole thing
will read, "The City of Iowa City resolves that this Iowa City Clerk's Office will provide
a copy of this resolution to members of the Iowa State Legislature, The Iowa State
Governor," and strikes and there to, "the United States congressional delegations from
Iowa and the President of the United States."
Goers: Okay.
Dunn: That's it. So I would move the amendment as a block.
Salih: Second.
Teague: Any further discussion?
Harmsen: Just a clarification. So you're suggesting in the whereas more than 100 Israelis, instead
of Israeli hostages.
Dunn: Uh-huh.
Harmsen: Keeping the hostage?
Dunn: Oh, Israeli hostages. That's supposed to be there.
Harmsen: Supposed to be here Israelis hostages.
Dunn: That's supposed to be hostages. Yeah. I have that noted here. So Israeli hostages and then
Palestinians.
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Harmsen: Okay. That's what I- I thought you'd originally said the fust time.
Dunn: Yes. Thank you for catching that. Yeah,that so- so that line should just to double clarify,
"whereas more than 100 Israeli hostages are held by Hamas and more than 7,000
Palestinians are held without due process under Israeli martial law and.." That's what that
should be. Thank you for catching that.
Teague: Any other discussion?Roll call,please. (Roll Call) Motion passes 7-0.
Goers: That was the motion to amend.
[Overlapping] Motion to amend. The amendment. Yeah.
Teague: Sorry. That was for the amendment. So we're going to come back to the discussion with
Council. Okay. Further discussion.
Harmsen: I just going to say once again that I- I want to thank all of the people that have come
forward and echo what Councilor Sahli has said,that have come forward, shared their
impactful stories, that have donated their time and efforts and energy into drafting what
we have so far. I still think that what we have so far is close, but not there yet. And I
think it- it could be better and needs to be better from our city because our city is- does
have people who are hurting,who are Israeli,who are Jewish,who are Muslim,who are
Palestinian. I mean, all of these people are hurting. I don't know how somebody could
boo the fact that people are hurting and that this is trauma that our people,that our
neighbors and friends are feeling. I still think we can do better by giving a little more
time for input. Um, and so I will be voting no one as for that reason.
Audience Member: Boo.
Alter: I just want to thank Councilor Har-Harmsen for,um,being really direct. And,um, I
realize I'm not serving myself well in this room,but I am deeply committed to
representing as best as possible, a consensus of all of Iowa City. And I go along with
Councilor Harmsen that this is close. And I also respect how carefully it has been done
and how thoughtful, and I have heard from multiple Councilors how,um, immensely
collaborative and thoughtful and sensitive this process was and the people who were in it
and helped craft this. And I think that without it becoming this large bureaucratic, endless
back and forth thing, I do think that we need some input from people who did not give-
give input for one reason or another.
Audience Member: They were here.
Alter:No,not everyone was.Not some stakeholders.
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Alter: I would like them to have one more- thank you. One opportunity to weigh in.
Audience Member: We're going to keep coming back.
Teague: I'm going to ask Councilor Alter to continue to speak to your colleagues up here.
Alter: I am- I am done. I am just wanted to speak to my colleagues to say we are close. I am not
satisfied just yet because I feel that there need to be- it needs to be one more opportunity
for Jewish people in this community to be able to respond. I have had multiple
conversations with people saying this is exactly why we are not saying anything. It is a
data point to have people not respond and to- and in an honesty to have a lot of very
dismissive faces, I would far rather take that-that dismissiveness than the people who are
in the community. But I do not feel right about signing on for and to approve a resolution
where right now there are people who are hurting,who do feel that they are being
dismissed and would like the opportunity to be able to say something,but are afraid to.
So we are close. I don't see this as endless. I do understand the sense of urgency,but I
also think it's important for as much as possible. Yeah, I've read that.
Salih: Again I just want to say something to-to like, thank you for all the you that share our side
and the people are here. I see like some people here and I see, and some people were
there with us when we come up with this resolution, I see some people are not even here
who were there during like coming up with this resolution. And again,to my brothers and
sisters who are Jewish who are not here. We are-we just don't like killing in general.
Whether you kill like Israel people or Palestine. This is what our intention on this
resolution. As the Mayor stated earlier,you know,we are not going to be perfect. If we
done something here and there,we don't mean anything. We don't want them like-we
don't mean like picking up a side. But there is number there,yes?. But that the fact,we
get it, like it's not like we made up that number. But that was a fact. Even though we-we
cannot put all the fact in a piece of paper of resolution,but,you know,this is what we can
do right now. But by any means,we are not picking any side because killing is not okay.
And again,thank you to everyone who come here. We're not going to make everyone
happy. Sometimes people got mad, sometimes,you know. But we need to do the best.
And I ensure that if we put this for vote for the City of Iowa City, after I see all the
people who endorse this resolution, and endorse the messaging by the interfaith group, I
bet we-the people will support the ceasefire. Thank you.
Moe: I was moved before the amendments Councilor when you were describing the hurt that
lowering the flag caused. I didn't know that- I didn't know that until you told me that.
And the reason that I think Councilor Harmsen and Councilor Alter and I are are having
pause is we don't want to cause that hurt for another group in our community. And so I
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think that waiting another council cycle, and having an opportunity to reduce that harm, I
think is- is- is wise.
Audience Member: Coward.
Moe: And I think that there are-when the president of the synagogue came and offered
amendments that-that Councilor Dunn--I appreciate you taking notes and writing those
in--when he spoke and I realized that-that were that synagogue involved in the crafting
of this? I- I don't.
Salih: Some members.
Moe: Some members okay.
Salih: Yes, board members. Two board members involved,yeah.
Moe: Okay. Again, it's a- it's a- it's a,we, as I appreciate what you said about we as a city, by
lowering the flag hurt people. I don't want to do a tit for tat then by doing something that
would-by doing something that would harm people,the Jewish community.
Salih: Yeah. You know, speaking about synagogue,you know, one of the group like we create a
committee and one of the committee reached out to synagogue and they know about it.
And we-there are some people from them,they was working with us in like on creating
this resolution. So they-they notified,they knew about it.
Bergus: I think we're really kidding ourselves if we think that inaction will not cause harm.
Salih: And I really was thinking about the harm that we're going to cause,but I guess by putting
some fact, if we did not put it here, it is over there at the Internet so.
Teague: Any other comments?Roll call please. (Roll Call)
Goers: So this is on the amended,uh,resolution.
Teague: Motion passes 4-3. Could I get a motion to get- could I get a motion to accept
correspondence?
Dunn: So moved.
Salih: Second.
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Teague: Moved by Dunn. Second by Sa- Salih. All in favor say aye. (Voice Vote)Motion passes
7-0.
Alter: Did you snap?
Dunn: Snap?Yeah. You know?
Moe: This is hard. Everyone's doing the right thing. You just get it different places.
Harmsen: Indeed.
Teague: I'm just gonna wait for Council to- Council Chambers to clear out a little bit.
Dunn: A thousand signatures written. I'm telling you nothing but the truth. They interviewed me
because of that.
Teague: Okay.
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ll.d. Charter Review Commission—Establishment—Resolution establishing
Charter Review Commission
Teague: We're going to move on to item number l Ld Charter Review Commission-
Establishment- This is a resolution establishing Charter Review Committee. Can I get a
motion to approve,please?
Harmsen: So moved.
Moe: Second.
Teague: Moved by Harmsen, seconded by Dunn. And we are- oh, I'm sorry.
Moe: That's alright.
[OVERLAPPING]
Teague: I'm sorry. Moved by Moe, seconded by Dunn. All right. And we're going to ask our
City Attorney,Eric Goers-
Goers: Thank you.
Teague: -to kind lead us in this discussion.
Goers: Thank you. So as the Council is aware, every 10 years, a Charter Review Commission
needs to be formed. Um, it is, uh, at least nine members. Historically,the Council has
appointed nine members. Uh, and you can appoint the chair,which is,um, different than
how it works in—in most of the border commissions that you folks,uh,um, select. But,
uh,the point is the Commission goes through the entire charter,uh, for the City of Iowa
City and makes recommendations for changes at the end,uh,no later than April,uh, 1st
of 2025. And then Council has two choices. Council can either adopt those changes, or if
Council does not wish to adopt any one of the changes,then it needs to go to a vote,uh,
by,uh,the citizenry of Iowa City. So,uh, in that fashion, it's a little different than a lot of
the boards or commissions you have,which are typically either quasi judicial or,um,
advisory.
Ross: Happy New Year.
Alter: We're still in the fucking meeting.
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Goers: And so it's- it's a little, uh, structured a little differently. Anyway,that's a summary,uh, of
the Charter Review Commission. I'd be happy to answer any questions Council members
may have.
Moe: The appointment period that,um,people use the regular online City portal to apply.
Obviously,we should be encouraging everyone that we think would be a great applicant
to apply to that.
Goers: You should.
Moe: Um, in the-the selection process,um,where we select people from that group, does that
just happened in a regular meeting or is there a multiple day work session to pick that
group?
Goers: A- a fair question,because the appointment of this Commission, I dare say is,well, I hate
to offend, it's a big deal. You phrased it better than I was about to. Um, it's a really big
deal. Uh, I mean,the Charter is essentially the Constitution of our City.
Moe: Right.
Goers: And so imagine a constitutional convention for the United States. I mean, it's- it's kind of
that. And so yes, it's an extremely important commission, and members of the Council
should consider those appointments very seriously. And as you've said, Councilor Moe
should encourage,uh, folks who you think would be good to serve to apply. In answer to
your last part of your question, it is the normal process. It will-uh,the appointments will
come at one of your regular,uh, Council meetings when you're appointing members of
other boards and commissions,you will also appoint members of this Commission.
Moe: And the application, does it have special questions geared towards this very important task
or is it the same similar application that we have for?
Goers: It is the same unless there's a motion to amend. I'm sorry,Kellie?
Grace: Same.
Goers: Yeah. Um,unless Council moved to amend,uh,that or add,uh, a clause to the resolution
presently before you. Certainly we can do something different if you want,but otherwise,
normally,uh, I would imagine with,uh, an appointment of this importance that maybe
Council members would be, again,recruiting folks to begin with, one, and two,maybe
contacting folks who are applying to ask them their own questions, interviewing to see,
you know,what qualifies them to serve on,uh, a commission such as this. And,you
know,how you think individually they would do?
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Moe: People who've served in the past, it seems like many have served multiple terms.No rules
on who can serve?
Goers: Correct. There are no rules about that. Um,we can certainly provide Council the names
of the folks who have served previously. The chair last time was a gentleman by the
name of Andy Chappell. He's now a District Court Judge and has told me that he will not
be serving because he's a District Court Judge,uh, so he will not be available. But,um.
Grace: Those names are included in the packet?
Goers: Yes.
Moe: Thank you.
Salih: And can- can you tell me how diverse was that committee?
Goers:Not without looking at it. Uh, I would have to look through the names myself.
Harmsen: Kind of tied into that, is there a gender balance?Does that apply to this Commission?
Goers: It doe-the state law that speaks to that does apply. So you would have to have no- if- if
you go with nine members,no more than five of any one gender.
Dunn: That's interesting.
Goers: At least that's the- I- I should back up. I- I think the state law may not require that because
this is not a,um, a board or commission that is required by state law,but our office has
long offered the opinion that kind of good for the goose, good for the gander,we should
do it across the board, and Council has adopted that,um, as its, uh, longstanding
principle.
Harmsen: That makes sense.
Dunn: Question. Uh, so that says the Charter Review Commission shall consist of at least nine
members. So that kind of just makes it up to us when we get those applications,pretty
much to set the number of members?
Goers: That's-well, at least nine,yes. And in theory,you could have 23. I'm here to tell you that
would not be very workable commission.
Alter: We could have 50?
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Goers: Yes, I would not recommend that. But yes, if you wanted to do more,you technically
could do so.
Dunn: Sure.
Harmsen: And it's a one-year term and then what comes out of it are either we have to vote on or
give to the voters?
Goers: You either have to approve or give to the voters,yes.
Salih: It's like ad hoc commission?
Harmsen: Kinda,yeah. It's a lot more like.
Moe: It seems like lawyers are typically a good fit for this role because it is a legal task.
However, if we want non lawyers to participate also, is your- or a City's legal staff
ultimately responsible that everything that is- is recommended is-
Goers: Well, Kellie and I will be staffing it, so we will be present.
Moe: Okay.
Goers: Lawyers are good for all jobs.
[OVERLAPPING]
Dunn: Did you need to recuse yourself from that statement ma'am.
Bergus: Okay. I was over here whispering,not more lawyers,just in case you were wondering.
Salih: Yeah, I- I think- do you think like really we need to ask certain question in the application
or just like leave it like that?
Dunn: What did you say?
Salih: Like do we- like a specific question to be added to the normal application?
Alter: At the very least. I'm sorry. Sorry. At the very least, I was going to say,what do you- and-
and I think we do have- like,what do you know about this Commission?
Salih: Mm-hmm.
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Alter: Um, it- it might well be a good thing-there is a blurb as those come up so that people
know what they're applying for, correct?
Salih: Or if they have similar experience,kind of.
Bergus: Oh, I'm sorry.
Salih: Go ahead.
Bergus: I'm just trying to jump in because I have it open in front of me.
Moe: I'm sorry.
Bergus: So the two current question-no, I think this is great to talk about- do we want to have
any more specific questions?But the two questions that are there that I think really will
give us the information we're looking for is,uh, experience and/or activities which you
feel qualify you for this position, and then the other is what is your present knowledge of
each advisory board you're interested in? So they have to speak to their experience that
they believe qualifies them, as well as their knowledge. I agree with the City Attorney. I
think this is one given its importance that we hopefully are reaching out to people and
engaging them.
Moe: And the remainder questions are the same as the other applications. We haven't been forced
by the state to remove any identifying questions? Okay.
Dunn:Not yet.
Bergus: But those are all-well,the last- the demographic ones are always optional, correct?
Goers: Oh,yes. Other than gender?
Bergus: Right.
Goers: Yeah.
Salih: I just believe that since,you know,this is really important,you know,commissions,we
just need-we need to reflect everyone. Like voice and background on this. So I
encourage the Council to reach out to people that they know can be good at. And we
would like,you know, I want to see some diversity on that Council because as you said,
this is,you know, something that we need to reflect the...
Teague: The community.
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Salih: The community.
Moe: Yes. Agreed.
Teague: Any other questions for Eric?
Dunn: I do one- one curiosity question. This is not a statement of interest,but like, are
Councilors allowed to be on it? It's not- I'm really being clear.
Goers: It would be interesting,no.
Dunn: It would be interesting.
Alter: What about electeds who our lawyers?
Goers: Electeds who are what, sorry?
Teague: All right. Any other questions for our-
Bergus: I actually have one qualification question based on your joke. Other elected officials,
seems like wouldn't be a great idea but not actually prohibited?
Goers: I have to look at our rules. I- I have it in the back reaches of my mind that other electeds
could not serve on any board or commission,but I may be mistaken about that. I'll be
sure to follow up on that to give you an answer.
Harmsen: As a follow up to that,what about someone who's currently serving on one of our
commissions, like let's say they're on one of of our commissions.
Goers: Another rule,unless it explicitly says that it's okay to double up,they're not allowed to
double up. I think-
Grace: It says they're allowed to double up.
Goers: Sorry.
Grace: They're allowed to double up.
Alter: For this one?
Goers: In this one?
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Harmsen: Just so people know if they're considering it, so they know what the rules are.
Teague: All right. Anyone from the public like to address this topic?
Goers: Yeah-yeah.
Teague: If you're online,please raise your hand. If you're in person,please come up. Say no one
in person or online. Council discussion.
Alter: I'm excited about this. I think it'-
Moe: I'm very excited.
Alter: I think it's going to be great to look through this or have a commission do that.
Teague: Roll call,please. (Roll Call) Motion passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal of January 2, 2024.
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12. Council Appointments
12.a Housing& Community Development Commission
Teague: We are on to item number 12,which is Council Appointments. We only have one today
12.a,Housing and Community Development Commission. There is one vacancy to fill an
unexpired term upon appointment through June 30, 2025. There is a gender balance,wait,
there is no gender balance requirement.
[OVERLAPPING]: It is.
Harmsen: It is for male, it has to be male: .
Alter: Or is it because...
Grace: Since it's after the 1st,yes, it has dropped that requirement.
Goers: Did we- did we have male applicants the fust- fust time?
Harmsen: We did have male applicants the fust time.
Alter: Yeah.
Goers: I guess it's my opinion that, I'm trying to remember the state law,basically says, if you
don't have any qualified applicants or something,then you advertise and then eventually
you lose the gender application. But my memory was that we actually had male
applicants the fust couple times, and so I think we need to stick with that.
Harmsen: And if I could venture, I think that I would be-
Grace: There's only one female applicant anyway.
Harmsen: I think I would be- after looking through these again and looking at some of our late
handouts, I'm really intrigued by the application of Horacio Borgen.
Dunn: I would agree with that. I didn't see that. I'm sorry. I would absolutely agree with that.
Goers: I'm sorry, can you repeat that name?
Harmsen: Horacio Borgen.
Grace: It's was in the late handouts.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal of January 2, 2024.
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Harmsen: I don't know if I'm pronouncing that correctly.
Alter: I am also- I would be very comfortable appointing him.
Bergus: Agreed.
Teague: There is a majority,um-
Salih: Agree.
Teague: -for Horacio Borgen to be accounted-to be appointed as a Commissioner for the
Housing and Community Development Commission. And we will just go ahead with the
vote. All in favor say aye. (Voice Vote)
Goers: I'm sorry,we need a motion in a second.
Harmsen: So moved,Harmsen.
Dunn: Second,Dunn.
Teague: All right. All in favor say aye. (VoiceVote)Motion passes 7-0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal of January 2, 2024.
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15. City Council Information
Teague: Item number 15 is City Council Information.
Dunn: Happy New Year.
Bergus: Yeah. Welcome to 2024.
Salih: Yeah.
Teague: Yes. Yes. Yes.
Moe: I'm very excited to be here.
Teague: Yes.
[OVERLAPPING] Welcome.
Moe: I'm pleased to serve with all of you.
Teague: Welcome-welcome-welcome. Our next meeting is on the 5th-the 16th, followed by
our 20', our all day meeting for our budget starts then. Yes-yes. So just a reminder there.
Any other Council information?Hearing none we're going to go to item number 16.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council regular
formal of January 2, 2024.